Indian Officials Apologize to Supreme Court Over Delhi Internet Shutdown

Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar have tendered unconditional apologies to the Supreme Court of India following contempt notices over the government's failure to comply with a court order. The court had directed the center to lift prohibitions on services in Delhi to avoid inconveniencing citizens during October 10 protests organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities.

In a counter-affidavit, Mohan defended a cellular internet shutdown enforced within a four-kilometer radius of Raisina Hill from October 9 to October 10. He argued the measure was proportionate to prevent public disorder, citing the Delhi Police's experience during previous protests in July. Mohan requested that the court modify its October 11 order to allow for internet suspensions in necessary situations subject to statutory safeguards.

Commissioner Anurag Kumar also filed an affidavit defending the use of preventive measures, including regulating Metro services and removing individuals from restricted areas. He maintained that these actions were bona fide and necessary to protect public property after the protest request was rejected on October 9. Separately, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation denied violating court orders, attributing a decline in passengers to the protests rather than a service shutdown. A bench consisting of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi is scheduled to hear the matter on Thursday.